Family of teen sailor jubilant on news she is safe

[Lady's Human]

Silly girl for the earth is flat ya know, there are dragons and water monters in the ocean. Flight is a fantasy and the moon is made of cheese.
All great explorers where called crazy and fool hearty in their time.
Is there any one here regardless of age who would try this feat or are we all too scared and just arm chair critics?

And what about sending our children off to war, is that not a million times more fool hearty and dangerous?

Silly me, I was wrong, it's absolutely wonderful that the little princess is off endangering the lives of possibly hundreds of SAR personnel who are out trying to bail her ass out.

How could I possibly let that get into the way of a spoiled little girl doing whatever she wants?

The people who are risking their lives to rescue her aren't coast guardsmen, they're fishermen, following the code of the sea, which is to help out in case of an SOS.

It's great that the skipper of the fishing vessel damned near drowned trying to save her. Now he's a hero. He should have never been in that position, but a pat on the back to him.

[Karen]

Silly girl for the earth is flat ya know, there are dragons and water monters in the ocean. Flight is a fantasy and the moon is made of cheese.
All great explorers where called crazy and fool hearty in their time.
Is there any one here regardless of age who would try this feat or are we all too scared and just arm chair critics?

And what about sending our children off to war, is that not a million times more fool hearty and dangerous?

The soldiers in our military are volunteers, and serving the country. Her journey served no one but herself, and her own desires. Please do not compare the two.

She is not in the league of the great explorers like Magellan and Columbus, she was not sailing off into the unknown, and bring back news of new lands.

I know my capabilities, and sailing a boat is not one of them. It is not fear that keeps me from attempting that, but self-knowledge, and responsibilities here on land.

I am glad for her sake that she is safe, and applaud those who rescued her. They are heroes.

[pomtzu]

And what about sending our children off to war, is that not a million times more fool hearty and dangerous?

Sending our children off to war - you make it sound like parents are kicking them out. These children sign up voluntarily, and after they are in, they don't exactly have the choice where they would like to go to be of service to our country. Uncle Sam now makes all the decisions in their lives.

And I know that you are old enough to remember that little thing call "the draft" which was far from voluntary. You went where and when you were told, and if you were a protester, perhaps you headed for the border and hoped that you didn't get caught.

This girl was just a glory seeker, and her parents are the only ones to blame for letting her carry out this act of stupidity. And I agree that they should pay all expenses involved in her S&R. This stunt wasn't something this kid had to do at the time in her life. She needs to go back to school and take some courses in Common Sense 101! Just because you have the potential ability to do something, doesn't mean that you should do it!

[Catty1]

One of the points Abby was making is that if you are a sailor who is 16, 26, 42 or 57 years old, you will run into storms and/or other problems, and even need to be rescued. She ALSO pointed out that no one paid attention to her trip (media et al) until things went bad. If she had completed her trip successfully - as with others that have - we wouldn't be having this discussion. So much for doing it for the "glory".

The Sunderlands are a sailing family; I think it is natural that Abby wanted to do this because her brother had a successful run.

One of the young sailors was doing his run to raise money for a charity.

Yes, they volunteered for this. They were trained, had the proper supplies on board.

Comparing it to volunteering for the military might be a bit of apples vs oranges, but I see the point. Odds of survival are much worse in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Lady's Human]

One of the points Abby was making is that if you are a sailor who is 16, 26, 42 or 57 years old, you will run into storms and/or other problems, and even need to be rescued. She ALSO pointed out that no one paid attention to her trip (media et al) until things went bad. If she had completed her trip successfully - as with others that have - we wouldn't be having this discussion. So much for doing it for the "glory".

There was much discussion before she started off on this foolhardy trip about the attempt, and a lot of publicity. I remember several articles about her, discussing whether it was bravery or foolish. I voted the latter then.

The Sunderlands are a sailing family; I think it is natural that Abby wanted to do this because her brother had a successful run.

Fine, do the run during the annual around the world race, where there are support mechanisms already in place.

One of the young sailors was doing his run to raise money for a charity.

Yes, they volunteered for this. They were trained, had the proper supplies on board.

Thought this was a solo run?

Comparing it to volunteering for the military might be a bit of apples vs oranges, but I see the point. Odds of survival are much worse in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Not hardly. Several people have died attempting around the world voyages of the few who have tried to so it solo. To continue with the rather crass and pointless comparison, if you did the math, soldiers and marines in Afghanistan and Iraq have much better chance of survival.

[RICHARD]

There were times in my life my mom would have gladly paid for me to sail around the world.

And she would have prayed for a storm to put the shoes to me.

But, that was MY mom......

[Catty1]

Just to clarify - I said "them" to refer to the other young solo sailors.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I would never allow a 16 year old child of mine do anything like this. Her parents must be made of steel. She must be made of steel.
I have to say, I admire her for trying it but I wish she would have been a little older??
YIKES!! This just scares me!!

[RICHARD]

Statistically?


It's safer to send your 16 year old to sail around the world, than it is to sent them to school each morning.



I could be wrong?

[blue]

Seems to me that this 16 year old could out sail all of us combined. It also seems that she has parents who respect her skills and goals.

Take a look at all of the risk takers and adventurers in history who were out for glory and thrills.

[RICHARD]

LOL,

That dope Geraldo Rivera was on TV griping about this story and was advocating the parents being brought up on charges of child endangerment.


If that is so?

Charge Beth Holloway for putting her daughter in danger for letting her go to Aruba.

Morons.

[Marigold2]

These things can be said about people who climb mountains, get lost skiing or just get lost in the woods, forest fires etc.... People will always need to be recused some from stupid mistakes some from nature having a bit of fun.

Silly me, I was wrong, it's absolutely wonderful that the little princess is off endangering the lives of possibly hundreds of SAR personnel who are out trying to bail her ass out.

How could I possibly let that get into the way of a spoiled little girl doing whatever she wants?

The people who are risking their lives to rescue her aren't coast guardsmen, they're fishermen, following the code of the sea, which is to help out in case of an SOS.

It's great that the skipper of the fishing vessel damned near drowned trying to save her. Now he's a hero. He should have never been in that position, but a pat on the back to him.

[Marigold2]

I believe that when ever someone sails off on a long trip it is to a great unknown. Same can be said for walking across the US or biking across this country you go into the unknown with weather, nature and man, all the elements are there to be a blessing or a curse.

The soldiers in our military are volunteers, and serving the country. Her journey served no one but herself, and her own desires. Please do not compare the two.

She is not in the league of the great explorers like Magellan and Columbus, she was not sailing off into the unknown, and bring back news of new lands.

I know my capabilities, and sailing a boat is not one of them. It is not fear that keeps me from attempting that, but self-knowledge, and responsibilities here on land.

I am glad for her sake that she is safe, and applaud those who rescued her. They are heroes.

[Alysser]

Maybe I'm speaking from the minority here, because I usually am, but I don't think it was foolish to let her do something like this. She's experienced, she knew what she was doing. No she didn't have all the experience she could've but I doubt the parents would've let her go had they not trusted in her skills. Would you say the same for a 60 year old who has had one year sailing experience? Experience beats age, in my opinion. Maybe I'm just sick of people telling me what I can't do simply because of my age and medical history.

I am glad she got rescued and everyone involved is unharmed.

[Marigold2]

When I was 17 I went to Germany be myself for 6 weeks. I lived with a great aunt I had only met once before. She really did not keep tabs on me at all and I had a great time. The drinking age in Germany is 16 so for me it was a bit of fun. I traveled to France and Switzerland and just had a blast meeting new people, seeing new things and exploring.
Thinking back it must have been hard on my mom to let me go for I was a bit of a stinker, still am a wild child but the experience was so good for me.
I have never stopped my three from spreading their wings. That is our job as parents to let our children explore and live life to the fullest. Yes we fear for them, but I fear the silence of cancer or heart disease even more.
I have let my children fly and for the most part they have done extremely well there have been a couple of nose dives but that is life.
It is the things in life we DON'T do that we regret mostly, not the things we did. In my case that is so very very true. I have made mistakes a plenty but the biggest regrets are the things I did not do.